The Gilded Ones

In the deeply patriarchal kingdom of Otera, sixteen-year-old Deka faces the ritual of purity, where a girl's worth is proven by her blood. But when Deka bleeds gold—the ominous color of impurity and demon—she is condemned to a fate worse than death. Just as despair threatens to consume her, a mysterious woman intervenes, revealing Deka's true nature: she is an Alaki, a near-immortal being endowed with extraordinary gifts. Deka is presented with an impossible choice: fight for the Emperor alongside other Alaki, girls ostracized like her, or face utter destruction. This choice thrusts her into a world of intense training, brutal battles, and shocking revelations about her own power and the true monsters lurking in society. As she navigates this treacherous path, Deka uncovers ancient secrets and forges unbreakable bonds of sisterhood, challenging the oppressive norms of her world and embarking on a journey to redefine her destiny and the fate of Otera.